For Better or Worse

Not like her at all.

No doubt about it, this was a man she needed to guard herself against.

She slowly nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

“There,” he said softly. “That wasn’t so hard, now, was it?”

“Actually, it nearly killed me,” she grumbled.

His smile was slow and intimate. “I know.”

Logan’s gaze dropped to their joined hands, and his thumb brushed against her palm, lingering as though reluctant to release her, before he finally let go.

He pulled something else out of his wallet, set it purposely in front of her. A business card. His business card.

“You’ll call me if you change your mind.” Again, it was a command. She was starting to gather that beneath the quiet smile and charming accent was a man accustomed to exercising control in all things. Much like her.

Alexis picked up the card. It was heavy white card stock with nothing but his name, phone number, and email. The card suited him. Simple and to the point, but the midnight-blue font rather than the expected black belied just a hint of unconventional that appealed to her far too much.

“I can’t,” she whispered again, eyes locked on his card.

She felt his gaze on her profile but didn’t meet his eyes, and he finally gave up, pulling on his heavy wool coat.

“It was lovely meeting you, Alexis.”

She finally looked up, met his piercing gaze. “You, too.”

He opened his mouth as though to say something but then shook his head and slowly started to walk away. Alexis felt something twist inside her at the thought of him leaving, and she gave in to the urge.

“Logan.”

He turned around, hands shoved into his pockets, eyes unreadable.

“Why?” she asked, lifting his business card slightly. “Why would you offer this?”

He jerked his head in the direction of her folder. “It’s a good plan. Worth the risk.”

She shook her head slowly, searching his face. “No, it’s something more than that. Another reason. I’d like to know what.”

The outer corners of his eyes crinkled a bit, and he gave a fleeting smile before walking back to her, crowding her against the bar.

For a moment she feared—hoped?—that he would kiss her, and from the way his mouth dropped to just inches from hers, she thought maybe he wanted to.

Then his face turned, his lips brushing against her cheek instead. “Say yes to my proposal, Alexis. Say yes, and maybe someday I’ll tell you the other reason.”

Logan pulled away, held her gaze for a heartbeat.

Then he stepped back, gave her a sly wink, and walked away without a backward glance.

Alexis sat there for a long time after, his card in her fingers, her heart in her throat, and her life in the hands of a stranger who somehow didn’t feel like a stranger at all.